Nationwide strike: Senate, joint Labour Unions begin dialogue

David Mark
Nigerian Senate President

Nationwide strike: Senate, joint Labour Unions begin dialogue
Obiora Ani, Abuja

The Nigerian Senate on Monday night commenced discussions with the joint Labour Unions on how to end the nationwide protests orchestrated by government’s removal of subsidy on fuel in the country.

At a meeting with the leadership of the joint labour unions and some members of the civil society, at the Apo residence of the Nigerian Senate President, David Mark, in Abuja, the parties held talks which they said would continue.

Although the joint unions led by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Alhaji Abdulwahid Umar and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Mr Peter Esele, insisted that the protests would continue, they emphasised that they held very useful discussions that would lead to amicable resolution of the crisis.

“We have had very useful discussions with the leadership of the Senate under the Distinguished leadership of the Senate President himself, and the discussions went very smoothly and frankly, and we appreciate the intervention of the senate leadership”, Alhaji Umar said.

However, the Labour President insisted that the strike would continue until something new comes up. In his words, “our position is clear; revert to 65 Naira per litre. The strike continues tomorrow and we call on all workers to join us.”

Deaths in Lagos

On the deaths in Lagos State upon the commencement of the nationwide strike on Monday, the Nigerian Labour Leader said: “We are still collating reports and we have in some cases unconfirmed reports, but we want to confirm from our people there exactly what happened. We have detailed report that we are compiling”.

He explained that there were certain deaths but stressed that the details were not known. He called on the Nigerian police to exercise extra restraint in handling protesters stressing that “unarmed people should not be attacked with guns.

Alhaji Abdulwahid Umar expressed happiness over the arrest of the police officer who allegedly shot one of the protesters and hoped that he would be prosecuted.   

Fruitful discussion

The Nigerian Senate President, David Mark, who led the Senate leadership in the talks said the discussions were fruitful and that a lot of progress was made and expressed hope that decisions at the end of the talks would be in the best interest of the country. 

“We are making a lot of progress and whatever decision we arrive at the end of the day will be in the best interest of this country and the best interest of Nigerians,” Senator Mark said.

The Senate President appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience promising that as soon as they start making progress they would come to the end of it sooner than later and the resolution would be in the best interest of Nigerians.

Protests over the removal of subsidy on the Premium Motor Spirit and consequent increase on its price per litre, fuelled nationwide protests spear-headed by the joint unions and some members of the civil society.

Williams